Morning Read: More Than Just A Political Party In Charlotte, DMV Politicians Bust Loose At DNC

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The Democrat National Convention kicks off Tuesday and, for the time being, Democrats from the DMV are leaving wonkery aside and partying it up in Charlotte.

D.C. Mayor-For-Life Marion Barry tweeted a picture of him and elected officials from D.C. indulging in some BBQ. The usually suited-up Mayor Vincent Gray is pictured in a polo and jeans.

The D.C. Democratic Party tweeted, “It’s officially official. Mayor Gray is on the dance floor.” (No word on whether he was hand dancing.)

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley tried to get in on the fun, but had to take a rain check. O’Malley's Celtic rock band was supposed to take the stage with Jeff Bridges at a pre-convention street festival in Charlotte, but the plans were foiled by the rain. The governor’s band is still scheduled to play at a gathering for the Democratic Governors Association and another for the Maryland Democratic Party.

But it’s not all fun at the DNC. Here’s a round-up of the serious business going on there:

* D.C. Councilmember Marion Barry told the Daily Caller that while he is still a supporter of President Obama, he doesn’t think the president has done as much for African Americans as he would like.

* Gov O’Malley backtracked on his words, clarifying that the U.S. is better off than it was four years ago, but has not fully recovered from the “Bush recession.”

* D.C.’s corruption spotlight will heat up in September as Thomas Gore, the assistant treasurer of Mayor Vincent Gray's 2010 campaign for mayor, is due to appear in U.S. District Court Tuesday for a status hearing that could determine when he will face sentencing.

* The Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the self-proclaimed messiah who founded The Washington Times, died Monday at age 92.